Population & Household section gives reader an outlook. of general population profile, structure, and outlook.
Population Trend
Jefferson County, AL, exhibits a modest population growth rate of 0% over the past year, significantly lower than the state average of 0.6%. With a median age of 37.9, it is slightly younger than Alabama's median age of 39.3. The county's sex ratio of 90.7 indicates a higher female population compared to males, which is consistent with trends seen in other counties like Mobile (92.3) and Montgomery (89.4). Jefferson's age dependency ratio of 63.9 is close to the state average of 65, reflecting a balanced demographic structure, though it has a higher percentage of youth (22.7%) compared to seniors (16.3%).
Total Population
672265
Sex Ratio
90.7 %
Population Growth (2021-2022)
0 %
Population CAGR (2010-2022)
0.19 %
Population Growth Rate (%)
Source: Census.gov
Age Structure
Dependency Rate
63.9 %
Median Age
37.9 y.o.
% of Population > 65 y.o.
16.3 %
Active Aging Index
86.4 %
Old Dependency Rate
26.7 %
Young Dependency Rate
37.2 %
Age Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Population Structure
Source: Census.gov
Household Status
Jefferson County, AL, with a total of 265,794 households, is the most populous county in Alabama, significantly surpassing Mobile and Madison Counties, which each have around 159,000 households. The county has a slightly lower average household size (2.46) compared to the state average (2.53) and a comparable average family size (3.19 vs. 3.17). Notably, 28.5% of households have children, which is slightly below the state average of 29.3%. The growth rate of households in Jefferson County is modest at 0.64% over the past year, reflecting a slower pace compared to counties like Baldwin and Madison, which have seen higher growth rates. This suggests that while Jefferson County remains a central hub in Alabama, its growth dynamics may differ from more rapidly expanding regions.
Total Households
265794
Married-couple Household
108651
Household CAGR (2010-2022)
0.17 %
Household Growth (2021-2022)
0.64 %
Average Household Size
2.46 p
Average Family Size
3.19 p
Household with Children (%)
28.5 %
Household with Elder 65+ (%)
30.2 %
Household Size
Source: Census.gov
Household Structure
Source: Census.gov
Marriage
Never Married
35.8 %
Now Married
44.8 %
Widowed
6.7 %
Divorced
12.7 %
Marriage Status
Source: Census.gov
Marriage Status Breakdown
Source: Census.gov | S1201
Cultures
*Culture section contains several components: races, education, marriage and other factors.
Racial Profiiles
Jefferson County, AL exhibits a unique demographic profile compared to both national and state averages. With a single race percentage of 97%, it is slightly more homogeneous than Alabama's 96.3%. However, the county stands out with a significant non-white population at 49.7%, predominantly Black at 42.7%, which is notably higher than the state average of 26.4% and the national average of 12.5%. This reflects Jefferson County's diverse cultural landscape, contrasting with other Alabama counties like Baldwin and Mobile, which have lower non-white percentages. The Hispanic population is also relatively low at 4.2%, mirroring the state’s trend.
One Race
97 %
Two or More Races
3 %
Non-White
49.7 %
Hispanic (Overlapping)
4.2 %
White
338374
Black
287203
Asian
11712
Native American
1225
Race Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Racial Profile Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Place of Birth
In Jefferson County, AL, 96.1% of the population is born in the U.S., slightly below Alabama's 96.5% and significantly higher than the national average of 86.3%. The county has a diverse foreign-born population, with 3.9% originating from other countries, which is comparable to Alabama's 3.5%. Notably, 74.9% of residents were born in Alabama, indicating a strong local demographic, while 20.5% were born elsewhere in the U.S. The foreign-born population of 26,358 is primarily from Asia (8,572) and South America (12,515), reflecting a unique cultural mix within the county compared to other Alabama counties.
Native US Citizen
338374
Native US Citizen (%)
49.7 %
Born in Alabama (%)
74.9 %
Born in Other State (%)
20.5 %
Foreign Born (%)
3.9 %
Naturalized (% of Foreign Born)
36.1 %
Place of Birth Changes (2010-2022)
Source: Census.gov
Birthplace Breakdown (Outside of US)
Source: Census.gov
Migration
-
Migration Inflow (% of Population)
14.1 %
From Different County (% of Inflow)
53.8 %
From Different State (% of Inflow)
38.8 %
From Different Country (% of Inflow)
7.4 %
%
Source: Census.gov
Religion
Number of Congregations
1202
Number of Adherents
539405
Adherents (% of Total Population)
80.2 %
Christian (% of Total Population)
76.6 %
Religion Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Education Attainment
Jefferson County, AL, exhibits a notable educational profile, with 35.6% of its population aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree, surpassing Alabama's average of 27.2% and closely aligning with the national average of 34.3%. Over the past decade, this percentage has increased significantly from 30%. The county's median earnings for those with a bachelor's degree stand at $60,223, which is higher than the state average of $57,347 but lower than the national average of $64,982. Additionally, 41.3% of degree holders are enrolled in STEM fields, reflecting a strong emphasis on technical education.